Bosnia's Muslims have a European identity even though some in Europe wish it were not so, the head of the country’s Islamic Community, Husein Kavazovic, said in his Friday morning sermon at the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, adding that Muslims in Bosnia must remain true to their teachings and tradition.

“We are a community of Muslims with a European identity, although some in Europe wish we were not. We also hear some of their inappropriate and malicious statements and we understand them well and in the correct way,” Kavazovic said.

“We owe nothing to anyone, others have wronged us, repeatedly in Europe’s history. But we are aware that the world is full of sinners and that we have to live with it. We will remain, as a people and as a community, dedicated to good, peace and cooperation among people, because that is our task and our mission,” he said.

Kavazovic argued that Bosnia’s Muslims must not only be wary of others but also of themselves.

“That is only possible if we remain true to ourselves, our teachings and interpretation of the source of Islam,” he stressed, adding that Bosnia’s Muslims still face big challenges today.

“In the world, as it is today, without a strong moral basis and values, we must think of ourselves and our interests. We must think of our own future and rely on ourselves and our friends,” the religious leader argued.